Monday's News

Ok, show of hands--who's tired of hearing from me? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

To those of you sitting at your computers with your hands in the air, 2 things: One--good news! You only have to put up with it for about another week. Two--You can put your hands down. I can't see you anyway.

I really want to thank Anita and Nicole for all their help today. Anita helped me knock that condo out in no time, then did all the dishes in the food prep room and a ton of other stuff. Nicole transported a dog to the vet for Bobby. He picked the dog up last night after she was HBC. She's a yellow lab mix and is very sweet, despite a possible dislocated hip. Nicole came back and walked dogs outside and people inside, then helped me give shots to a new mama cat and 3 kittens that arrived today in a fish tank. She's a calico with 2 calico kittens and one grey and white kitten.

New dogs over the weekend (other than my hitch hiker) include a pit bull we're not too sure of and an unhappy chow mix. A small collie mix came in first thing this morning. She's very sweet, but needs a bath! I picked 2 ticks off her, and Joyce got at least 5!

We got a very cute little dog that looks like a dachshund/beagle mix. He is weiner dog shaped with beagle colors (Weagle? Beaner dog?). An Australian Cattle Dog mix puppy came in. She looks a little frightened by all the clamor, but I'm sure she'll be bouncing off the kennel walls by morning. I should put her in with the 3 hound puppies so she can herd them. Bobby brought in a husky looking mix near the end of the day. Dixie was smitten with him immediately, and I think he had the eyes for her as well.

Susan came in to cover the office today. I know she was on the phone a LOT for adoption and aid applications, but she still found time to do laundry and, as usual, wasn't taking any of my crap!

Bobby, Shay, and Julie were all in court this morning, and things went well for them--congrats guys! Dixie, Nubbs, and Jasper (3 emaciated dogs seized by Bobby) were all awarded to AC, as was Draper 1&2 who were seized by Shay after their owners abandonded them. These 5 awesome dogs are now able to be adopted, and Nicole took an application for Jasper this afternoon!

Shay, Julie, and Paul also snaked the drains at the end of the dog runs. Evidently, our previous trustee hosed the hay from the goat's kennel down the drain and blocked both of them up. Also, some rawhides were keeping water from flowing down the trench drains, so new rule: rawhides outside only!

On a sad note, the kitten I had been taking home had to be humanely euthanized today. She was doing better over the last few days (although she was still a third of the size of her siblings) and was fine this morning, but she took a turn for the worse. Mama is semi-feral and the kittens were born and lived their first few days to a week outside, which may have been a contributing factor. Feral cat groups estimate that the mortality rate of feral kittens at over 50%; some estimates place the mortality rate at 75%. This is why spay/neuter programs are so important!

This evening, Rebecca, Billy and I attended the Bland County Planning Commission meeting to learn more about the "breeding facility," which is being proposed by Ivan Schmucker. I'm sure you all remember that Mr. Schmucker's previous breeding kennel was destroyed in a fire, killing 167 dogs and puppies, and that it was later discovered that Mr. Schmucker did not have a permit for a breeding kennel. Tonight he submitted his application for a conditional use permit (CUP), which he needs in order to continue breeding dogs (although I don't know what is going on with the 100 or so dogs he still has). Tonight was not a time for public comments; that time will come on June 4. Each person must sign up in advance and has only 3 minutes to speak. I plan to be at that meeting and use my 3 minutes wisely. Rebecca and I would love it if everyone could prepare a few words and attend the meeting as well. Please mark the date on your calendars, and we will make carpool plans later. I hope we need a bus!

I hope to have visitors tomorrow! We need dog walkers, because Nicole and I will be in the grooming room making dogs sparkle!